Study: 90% of Some California Fruits May Contain 'Forever Chemicals'

Pesticide residue from PFAS chemicals found on majority of state's produce

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:41pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study from the Environmental Working Group found that around 37% of non-organic produce grown in California was contaminated with at least one PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemical, with many fruits and vegetables showing residue from several different PFAS. The analysis of 930 samples revealed that 51% of the 78 types of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tested had traces of the pesticides, with stone fruits like nectarines, plums and peaches showing the highest levels of contamination at over 90%.

Why it matters

PFAS, often referred to as 'forever chemicals,' do not easily break down and have been linked to cancer and reproductive issues. The high levels of PFAS pesticide residue found on California produce raises health concerns for consumers, especially those who frequently eat the most contaminated fruits and vegetables.

The details

The study analyzed 930 samples of California-grown produce, finding that 348 of them (37%) had at least one PFAS chemical present, likely from pesticide use. The fungicide fludioxonil, a common PFAS, was detected on over 90% of nectarines, plums and peaches tested. Strawberries, a Salinas Valley staple, had samples showing up to 10 different PFAS chemicals. While organic produce can also have contamination, the report recommends buying organic or thoroughly washing non-organic fruits and vegetables to avoid PFAS exposure.

  • The data analyzed was from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's 2023 annual monitoring program, the most recently available.

The players

Environmental Working Group

A nonprofit organization that conducted the analysis of PFAS pesticide residue on California produce.

Susan Little

The California legislative director for the Environmental Working Group.

Varun Subramaniam

A science analyst who worked on the study.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is stuff that we're ingesting on a regular basis, so Californians should be really concerned that this is what they're being exposed to on their dinner table.”

— Susan Little, California legislative director, Environmental Working Group

“It's very hard to assume that it's safe to eat the amounts that we're finding.”

— Susan Little, California legislative director, Environmental Working Group

“These trends are pretty consistent over time, and if anything, we observe more. Very rarely are we seeing less.”

— Varun Subramaniam, Science analyst, Environmental Working Group

What’s next

The European Food Safety Authority is considering banning the PFAS chemical fludioxonil, one of the most commonly found pesticides on California produce. Some states like Maine and Minnesota have already passed laws to eventually ban PFAS in pesticides, but California currently has no regulations on PFAS pesticides.

The takeaway

This study highlights the widespread contamination of California's fruits and vegetables with 'forever chemicals' from pesticide use, raising serious health concerns for consumers. While buying organic produce can help reduce PFAS exposure, more regulation and oversight is needed to address this issue and protect public health.